Current News

Stallings, NC – The Town of Stallings today announced Dennis W. Franks has been selected as the next Chief of Police. Franks has over 22 years of law enforcement experience including a total of over seven years as Police Chief of the Elon University Police as Director of Campus Safety and Police. He replaces Chief Minor Plyler, who retired after over a 35-year career in law enforcement and emergency services.

After an extensive screening process, six candidates were selected for an intensive multi-day assessment process where a team of law enforcement and management experts evaluated each candidate on a range of exercises designed to be valid, reliable, and unbiased in assessing the critical competencies required for the position. The assessment exercises were designed following an extensive job analysis and were based on objective behavioral criteria, rather than subjective criteria. Following the completion of this process, the position was previously offered to another candidate who accepted. After a successful background check, the previous candidate withdrew his acceptance for personal reasons prior to the planned start date.

“During the selection process, Chief Franks was consistently a top performer and exhibited the characteristics essential in the Police Chief,” stated Town Manager Alex Sewell. “We’re excited to welcome someone of Chief Franks’ caliber to Stallings to lead our great department.”

Franks worked for the City of Pekin, IL Police Department from 1998 to 2012, where he rose through the ranks and served in a broad range of roles including patrol officer, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, investigations lieutenant, and deputy chief for special services. As deputy chief, Franks’ responsibilities included the department’s $6.3 million budget, the records and investigations divisions, and all departmental training, recruitment, policy development, grant management and internal affairs. In 2012, Franks was selected as the Elon University Director of Campus Safety and Police. At Elon, Franks oversees a staff of 41 employees. Under Franks’ leadership, the department earned its accreditation by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), a designation earned by only 63 agencies.

“I’m excited to get started working for the citizens of Stallings as the Police Chief of an already excellent department,” Franks said. “I’m looking forward to building strong community relationships and working with elected officials, staff, and citizens.”

Franks holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, along with a Graduate Certificate in Police Executive Administration. In 2007, he graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.